Sunday, February 19, 2012

I used to blog a lot in high school and during my freshman year at college. Then I offended a bunch of people and since then, the only blogging I've done has been in the form of craft blog...there was also that one time I went backpacking in Europe and kept a travel log, but it only lasted two weeks. To be frank, I've all but given up on the craft blog. I'm just not "there" anymore. I had a Suzy-homemaker phase and thought my projects were awesome, but now I feel they were just a little precious...plus, uploading pictures is kind of a pain. So here I am , back to writing about my experiences, my thoughts, my feelings, blah blah blah.

So, why the sudden interest in blogging again, you ask (or not, because really, who reads personal blogs)? The answer comes in two parts. First, I live alone and while I'm insanely busy during the day, I come home at night and have no one to do a run-down of my day with (the plethora of owl paraphernalia adorning my bookshelf just stare back at me with their ceramic expressions...jerks). Second, I've made/ am making some pretty major changes in my life that I'm excited about. Within the last seven weeks, I've started a career, moved into my own apartment, got a brand-spankin new car (named Wellington, btw), and a Costco membership. Yep, I've arrived.

Yesterday was my first real Saturday off of work- I had the whole day just to myself and it was wonderful. I'm on a mission to find pillows for my bed and sofa, and a rug for my living room. No luck yesterday on those endeavors, but I finally went to Ikea and bought a floor lamp I've wanted since, like, forever...only to get it home and find it was much to large for my living room....and then damage it in such a way that it is no longer returnable. Awesome. But I found a way to make it work and I'm currently basking under its glow.

Besides shopping for home goods yesterday, I also made it over to Winco (aka, the grocery store of wonders). I've been researching and studying the Paleo diet for the last year (thanks to my amazing friend Lisa) and this week I finally decided to just DO IT, totally and completely! I'm reading a fantastic book that really delves into the science of how our bodies break down the food we consume and I have committed, for the next 30 days, to abstain from grain, sugar, beans and legumes, potatoes of the white variety, and dairy products. I'm also giving up my beloved Diet Dr. Pepper (so painful). I'm focusing on eating whole foods- loads and loads of vegetables (seriously, my fridge is absolutely packed with green goodness), meat, fruit, and nuts.

Now, last week was really just a fantastic week. Really awesome. Truly. Are you still not convinced? Good, because I'm lying. It was total crap. You couldn't find my sense of confidence even if you were using a microscope, but you could hear my heart beat from a mile away because I was under so much stress at work. Usually during a week like last week, I would have drowned out my stress in, oh I don't know, a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Frozen Yogurt (not the whole thing though, I swear!), but in a masochistic streak, I decided to forgo all forms of comfort food (and my caffeinated beverages) and do something really extreme...like eat more vegetables. Those first few days were rough, but on the third day I woke up a little earlier than usual and totally energized for the day. What the what? I don't even remember the last time that I woke up and was ready to jump out of bed to get going. Usually I just lie in bed awake, pinned between my heated mattress cover and fourteen layers of fluffy, warm blankets, bemoaning the cold and stalling my trek to the shower, because really, who wants to be naked in the winter, especially when wet and in a perpetually chilly bathroom? Pas moi (that's the French way of saying "not me"-consider yourself educated. You're welcome). Moral of the story is that so far I'm feeling "Grrrrreat" (tm, Tony the Tiger). And looking more awesome (my new pair of nude, platform wedges may or may not be contributing to the awesomeness).

So that's where I'm at today. I'm going to go whip up something amazing in the kitchen and prepare to watch the final episode of Downton Abbey. On a side note, I swear, if Mr. Bates and Anna don't finally get a happy ending, I'm boycotting PBS, BBC, and maybe just love and happiness in general.

I like personal blogs. . . :) I read them. Oh, and I'm all for Bates and Anna. After last week, I felt I was watching a soap opera. . . hopefully, it gets better. All the "good ones" are turning bad -- hate it.

Megan, I am so proud of you!! I am doing a Whole30 too!! What day did you start? I started last Monday, Feb. 13. I was already eating paleo (including sweets like maple syrup and honey), so I pretty much feel the same. But, I am so proud of you!!! Keep at it. Eat lots of black olives and avocado, unsweetened coconut flakes and coconut milk (I say this because it's easy to overdo the nuts and I get tired of them). I am so glad you already feel great--that feeling only gets better--I PROMISE!! WOOHOO!!! If you want any great recipes or meal ideas, you know where to find me!!